Lynch's thoughts
-No. 1 goal going into the spring is figuring out his top 50 players. He said the spring will be competitive and he's excited to try some different things with scheme, positions, etc.
-A few different tings this offseason include: splitting the team into 8 different teams, headed by the team's leadership council. They gained points from effort in the weight room, community service, etc., and lost points by things such as not meeting expectations in the classroom.They will compete in the same way when the spring starts, this time with the added dueling on the field.The captains of the winning team before spring practice were Will Matte and Tyler Replogle.
-The team's T-shirts this year will feature in large, bold letters "FINISH" on the back. Last year, the team focused on playing the next play. Lynch acknowledged his team did not do a very good job of closing games last season.
-He said Ben Chappell has had a very good offseason, particularly with leadership. Adam Follet, not Ed Wright-Baker, is currently listed as the backup.
-Running back Darius Willis appears healthy and ready to go, but Zach Davis-Walker is not currently ready to go with a foot problem.
-The IU defense will interchange between 4-3 and 3-4 schemes to accommodate the changes in personnel, particularity the losses of Greg Middleton and Jammie Kirlew.
-Lynch said cornerbacks Richard Council and Adrian Burks impressed him during the offseason.
Position changes
-Senior Mitch Evans is making the move form WR to SS. He is currently listed as the starter on the depth chart, ahead of senior Jerimy Finch. Wright-Baker or Dusty Kiel, with the added threat of throwing the ball, will replace Evans in the Wildcat formations.
-Sophomore Shane Covington will help at running back, coming from the defensive back corps.
-Senior Aaron Burks will go to WR from FS. His twin brother Adrian is listed as a starting CB after having started several games to close the season last year.
-Junior Matt Ernest, also a pitcher for the baseball team, will move to CB form his previous WR position. Lynch said he expects Ernest to give the team the same things they received from Ray Fisher.
-Sophomore Andrew Pimentel rounds out the list, going to FS from QB.
Injuries
-Evans (hip), Davis-Walker (foot), senior DE Terrance Thomas (shoulder) and junior OL Justin Pagan (ankle) will miss or be limited in spring practice. Terrance Turner is also recovering from neck surgery.
New faces
-Junior college transfers Lenyatta Kiles (CB) and Jeff Thomas (LB) join freshmen Antonio Banks (running back) and Jack Denton (linebacker) as the four members of IU's 2010 signing class participating in spring practices.
